Whenever we get into the gardens, we make sure to carry a spray bottle with us – sometimes more than one as we find ourselves using them for a variety of purposes. Here are our top 5 uses:
1. Create and apply natural insecticide applications
This includes insecticidal soap and neem oil. Homemade solutions using rhubarb and mint leaves, garlic cloves and other natural remedies work just as well too.
2. Control powdery mildew with baking soda, soap and water
Our recipe is 1 tsp of baking soda, a drop or two of dish soap (you can substitute insecticidal soap too) per liter of water
3. Apply compost tea as a foliar spray
Strain you compost tea into your spray bottle and spray directly on the leaves. This helps plants to take up more micronutrients and combat potential fungal and pest infestations. Make sure you use a cheesecloth to strain out any particles before putting this in your spray bottle.
4. Spray insect larvae off off leaves
Insects like spider mites and aphids like to feed off the sap running through the plant’s leaves. One quick and easy way to remedy the situation is to use a spray bottle with more a jet spray setting to spray the insects off the plants. Typically once they fall off, they can’t/don’t climb back on.
5. Cool off in the summer
Fill your spray bottle with clean, cool water and give yourself a bit of a misting on a hot summer day. There’s nothing like the feeling of cooling off with a mist of water on during an intense heat wave.
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